Bernardo Joaquin Cantens

About Bernardo Joaquin Cantens

Dr. Cantens, Ph.D, is in his fourth year as Executive Vice President and Provost of Sul Ross State University, a comprehensive public Hispanic-Serving Institution with over a century of history. Sul Ross serves 2,400 students across four campuses in Alpine, Uvalde, Del Rio, and Eagle Pass, offering more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university is part of the Texas State University System, the oldest university system in the state of Texas.As Provost, Dr. Cantens has led a comprehensive reorganization of Academic Affairs, establishing the College of Business, the College of Health Sciences, and a stand-alone College of Education. Under his leadership, the university has hired more than 65 new full-time faculty members and four new deans, while launching over 20 new academic programs and certificates at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. ​Dr. Cantens also played a key role on the leadership team, guiding the Strategic Planning Committee to finalize Sul Ross State University’s 2022–2027 strategic plan and shaping its mission, vision, and goals. In addition, he partnered with Institutional Effectiveness to complete SRSU’s SACSCOC Fifth-Year Report.The Division of Academic Affairs also oversees the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, which manages a grant portfolio exceeding $63.5 million. Since 2022, outstanding grant funding has tripled, increasing from under $20 million to over $60 million. Sul Ross has secured over $40 million in grant funding in the past three years, with an additional $7 million pending proposals. In 2025, SRSU earned the new classification of Research College and University (RCU), with $ 4.9 million in research expenditures. SRSU has also earned the distinction of being named an Opportunity University, a HIGH ACCESS, HIGH EARNING (HAHE) institution. We are incredibly proud to be the only institution within its Carnegie classification to have earned both RCU and HAHE distinctions.Dr. Cantens has prioritized student success, institutional innovation, and excellent online teaching. SRSU launched the Lobo LEADS initiative, which has achieved retention rates more than 20% higher than the general student population. ​A dedicated educator, Dr. Cantens is committed to the value of public education as the most reliable and predictable method for social mobility. He is a student-centered teacher, scholar, and administrator who is passionate about the transformative power of higher education. He knows that the three most important issues for students are cost, convenience, and careers.

Experience

1. Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost

   Sul Ross State University

   Jan 2022 — Present · Alpine, TX, US

   The Executive Vice President and Provost serves as the Chief Academic Officer of the University and works with the President in implementing the strategic plan and advancing the mission of the University: “offer life-changing opportunities by delivering quality undergraduate and graduate education. We foster critical thinking, creativity, and research, empowering our students to excel beyond the frontiers of what is possible. We are a Hispanic serving public institution for the residents of the U.S./Mexico borderlands, Southwest Texas Region, and beyond.”In collaboration with the deans, academic leadership team, and faculty the provost works to:Enhance the quality of academic programsDevelop curriculumAssess program outcomesAdvance innovation in online teaching and learningSupport faculty research and scholarshipPromote student successSupport international studiesParticipate in faculty recruitment and appointmentDevelop academic rules and policiesSupport the academic calendar, the faculty handbook, the University Catalog, Title V, and HB 2504 compliance.

Education

• Florida International University - College of Business

  Masters in Accounting

  1989 — 1992

• Florida International University

  Bachelors in Philosophy and Accounting

  1983 — 1987

• University of Miami

  Masters in Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Philosophy

  1995 — 1999

• Florida International University

  Bachelor's degree, Accounting

Skills

• Student Development
• Academic Advising
• Program Development
• Creative Writing
• Community Outreach
• Spss
• Research
• Copy Editing
• Philosophy
• Nonprofits
• Courses
• College Teaching
• Public Speaking
• Student Affairs
• Curriculum Design
• Teaching
• Social Media
• Curriculum Development
• Higher Education
• University Teaching